Elton D. Aberle, dean of the UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences since 1998, announced Nov. 8 that he will retire Sept. 1, 2005.
“During my term as dean, I”ve worked to advance a clear and straightforward mission of the college — to educate our young leaders, solve practical problems and help grow Wisconsin”s economy,” says Aberle, 64.
Aberle”s retirement will cap a 38-year academic career that included stints at Purdue University, the University of Nebraska and at the Madison campus.
As dean, Aberle has led a college that enrolls more than 2,200 undergraduates and about 1,000 graduate students and has an annual budget of more than $150 million. CALS also has a strong extension and outreach mission, with 12 agricultural research stations across the state.
Aberle is known for his steady leadership and for the college”s efforts to bring scientific discoveries to the agricultural and food industries, says Chancellor John D. Wiley.
“Dean Aberle has been a vital link between the work of the college and the work of Wisconsin farmers, the agribusiness industry and life science researchers across the nation,” Wiley says. “His leadership has been indispensable at a time when we”ve tried to leverage new ways to connect with the industry and find new sources of research funding.”
During Aberle”s tenure, the college has had marked success in attracting outside research funding. Federal funds awarded to the college more than doubled since 1998, rising from $30 million to $65 million annually.
“I think it speaks most of all to the high quality of the research we do with that funding in solving today”s problems and preparing us to deal with future problems,” Aberle says.
Wiley says Aberle is a strong proponent of providing the infrastructure scientists need to advance their work.
“Dean Aberle has had the vision to identify needs that will make researchers more effective in the 21st century,” Wiley says. “That sort of dedication will be hard to replace.”
The college is part of the Biostar initiative to build new research facilities, including a $104 million Microbial Sciences Building, construction of which is expected to begin in 2005.
Additionally, the Integrated Dairy Facility Program is underway at the Arlington and Marshfield research stations, and new greenhouses are being built at Walnut Street and Observatory Drive and the West Madison research station.
Under Aberle”s leadership, CALS researchers worked to increase the visibility of organic-based farming industries in Wisconsin, conducted key research on ways to fight obesity, and worked with U.S. Department of Homeland Security on ways to protect the food supply from contamination.
The college is also working with state environmental regulators in finding ways to reduce non-point source pollution, and supporting educational needs growing out of the state”s Smart Growth initiative and proposed new livestock facility siting regulations.
“I believe this college is and will remain a vital part of the Wisconsin Idea,” Aberle says. “I”ve been happy to see the college re-establish and solidify its relationships with our Wisconsin stakeholders and constituency groups, and I”m proud to see how well the college works in partnerships with these groups.”
Also during his tenure, Aberle created award programs to recognize the outstanding work of academic and classified staff within the College.
Before coming to UW-Madison, Aberle served for 15 years as head of the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Nebraska. Prior to joining the University of Nebraska, Aberle spent 16 years on the faculty at Purdue University from 1967 to 1983.
A search and screen committee will soon be formed to begin the task of naming Aberle”s successor.